This page is intended as a resource for parents to find tools to educate themselves on what PTA advocacy is and how to begin or continue conversations with their children around sometimes difficult themes. We recognize and celebrate that each family is unique in how they approach these topics at home. Please investigate each tool to make sure you feel it is appropriate for your child.
A Note From Our Advocacy Committee Chair
Hello! I’m excited to be serving again as Yates Mill Elementary PTA Advocacy Chair for the 2024-2025 School Year.
I have a second grader and a fourth grader at Yates Mill and have been an active member of the Yates Mill PTA for the past 4 years. I’ve previously served as PTA Vice President, PTA Board member at large, and again starting my fourth year as Wake County District 5 Board Advisory Committee representative for Yates Mill.
We all come from different backgrounds and experiences, yet we all share the same desire for our children to get a quality education in a nurturing, fun and safe environment. I hope to serve as a resource for knowledge as well as to partner with other parents and staff to advocate for ALL kids at Yates Mill.
Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to learn more! Thanks!
Sarah Cone
YMES PTA Advocacy Chair and BAC representative
[email protected]
I have a second grader and a fourth grader at Yates Mill and have been an active member of the Yates Mill PTA for the past 4 years. I’ve previously served as PTA Vice President, PTA Board member at large, and again starting my fourth year as Wake County District 5 Board Advisory Committee representative for Yates Mill.
We all come from different backgrounds and experiences, yet we all share the same desire for our children to get a quality education in a nurturing, fun and safe environment. I hope to serve as a resource for knowledge as well as to partner with other parents and staff to advocate for ALL kids at Yates Mill.
Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to learn more! Thanks!
Sarah Cone
YMES PTA Advocacy Chair and BAC representative
[email protected]
Check out the Wake County PTA Advocacy page for important updates and helpful resources.
https://www.wakepta.org/what-we-do/advocacy
https://www.wakepta.org/what-we-do/advocacy
WCPSS Leandro Plan Presentation Sep 30, 2021
Talking About Racism and Equality
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* A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara. Board book. Also available in Spanish. Board book
*American Babies and Global Babies by the Global Fund for Children Board book
*Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester. Introduces concept of race as part of a person’s story; Introduces the idea of prejudice based on skin color. Picture book for K-2.
*Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine. Excellent book about a child’s resistance to slavery. Early Elementary
*A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson. A stirring yet jubilant glimpse of the invaluable contributions of youth in the Civil Rights movement. Ages 5-8
* Dolores Huerta : A Hero To Migrant Workers by Sarah E. Warren. This is the story of Delores Huerta and the extraordinary battle she waged to ensure fair and safe work places for migrant workers. Suitable for all ages.
*The Stone Thrower By Jael Ealey Richardson. A story about football player Chuck Ealey and how we was not able to play football because of his race. Ages 4-9.
* What’s the Difference? Being Different is Amazing by Doyin Richards, Feiwel and Friends. Tackles the ideas of diversity and acceptance. "Because what matters most is not our differences, but what we do together as friends, as families, as colleagues, as citizens." Ages 2-10.
*Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Through poetry, Woodson shares her experience growing up African
American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Grade 4 & up.
*One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Three sisters visit their mother, a Black Panther Party member, during a memorable summer in Oakland. Sequel P.S. Be Eleven. Grades 3 & up.
*Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges. Autobiography about the harrowing story of how Bridges integrated a public school in New Orleans when she was 6 years old. Grades 2-4.
*Revolution by Deborah Wiles. Twelve-year-old Sunny evolves a growing sense of justice and empathy after “the invaders” arrive in her Mississippi town to integrate public facilities and register voters during “Freedom Summer.” Grades 4 & up.
* New Kid by Jerry Craft. A timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle is real. Middle grade readers
Other Resources
* WeReadToo App: A directory of hundreds of picture, chapter, middle grade and young adult books written by authors of color featuring main characters of color.
* For more books for children and adults, visit Social Justice Books : A Teaching for Change Project
* Podcast: Notes from the Backpack . A podcast for parents, by parents. offers conversations with experts.
* Scholastic list of books for Black History Month , Hispanic American Heritage Month, Asian American Heritage Month
* Article on how to talk to young children about difficult issues.
*American Babies and Global Babies by the Global Fund for Children Board book
*Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester. Introduces concept of race as part of a person’s story; Introduces the idea of prejudice based on skin color. Picture book for K-2.
*Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine. Excellent book about a child’s resistance to slavery. Early Elementary
*A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson. A stirring yet jubilant glimpse of the invaluable contributions of youth in the Civil Rights movement. Ages 5-8
* Dolores Huerta : A Hero To Migrant Workers by Sarah E. Warren. This is the story of Delores Huerta and the extraordinary battle she waged to ensure fair and safe work places for migrant workers. Suitable for all ages.
*The Stone Thrower By Jael Ealey Richardson. A story about football player Chuck Ealey and how we was not able to play football because of his race. Ages 4-9.
* What’s the Difference? Being Different is Amazing by Doyin Richards, Feiwel and Friends. Tackles the ideas of diversity and acceptance. "Because what matters most is not our differences, but what we do together as friends, as families, as colleagues, as citizens." Ages 2-10.
*Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Through poetry, Woodson shares her experience growing up African
American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Grade 4 & up.
*One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Three sisters visit their mother, a Black Panther Party member, during a memorable summer in Oakland. Sequel P.S. Be Eleven. Grades 3 & up.
*Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges. Autobiography about the harrowing story of how Bridges integrated a public school in New Orleans when she was 6 years old. Grades 2-4.
*Revolution by Deborah Wiles. Twelve-year-old Sunny evolves a growing sense of justice and empathy after “the invaders” arrive in her Mississippi town to integrate public facilities and register voters during “Freedom Summer.” Grades 4 & up.
* New Kid by Jerry Craft. A timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle is real. Middle grade readers
Other Resources
* WeReadToo App: A directory of hundreds of picture, chapter, middle grade and young adult books written by authors of color featuring main characters of color.
* For more books for children and adults, visit Social Justice Books : A Teaching for Change Project
* Podcast: Notes from the Backpack . A podcast for parents, by parents. offers conversations with experts.
* Scholastic list of books for Black History Month , Hispanic American Heritage Month, Asian American Heritage Month
* Article on how to talk to young children about difficult issues.
Talking About Ability Differences
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* Just Ask by Sonya Sotomayor. "In the same way that different types of plants and flowers make a garden more beautiful and enjoyable, different types of people make our world more vibrant and wonderful." Suitable for all ages.
* Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky. Based on a real-life partnership, the heartwarming story of the love and teamwork between a girl and her service dog. Ages 6-8.
* Tom's Special Talent by Kate Gaynor. This book deals specifically with dyslexia, but also encourages children to be mindful that all children, regardless of their talents, learn differently. Suitable for all ages.
* Understanding Sam by Clarabelle van Niekerk. This book asnwers the question "why is Sam different?" This story talks about the challenges a student who lives with autism might face. Kindergarten-2nd grade.
* Ben's Adventures by Elizabeth Gerlach. highlights noticable differences when we look at others, while showing that all kids can play and learn. This book highlights inclusion, siblings, and empathy. Ages 2-8
* El Deafo by Cece Bell. "Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends." Graphic novel. Ages 8-12.
* Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. "Uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who’s ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn’t fit in." Ages 10-14.
*Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. "Eleven-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can’t walk. She can’t talk. She can’t write. All because she has cerebral palsy. But she also has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school, but NO ONE knows it. Melody refuses to be defined by her disability." Grades 5-6.
*Wonder by R. J. Palacio. Auggie Pullman is an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. He is now starting 5th grade at a new school. Will he make friends? Will people accept him? Also available as an early elementary grade book. 3rd-5th grades
Other Resources
This website offers many other picture book recommendations about children with ability differences. (picture books)
This website offers book recommendation for middle-grade readers.
Understood.com offers articles and tools for talking with your student about ability and thinking differences.
* Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky. Based on a real-life partnership, the heartwarming story of the love and teamwork between a girl and her service dog. Ages 6-8.
* Tom's Special Talent by Kate Gaynor. This book deals specifically with dyslexia, but also encourages children to be mindful that all children, regardless of their talents, learn differently. Suitable for all ages.
* Understanding Sam by Clarabelle van Niekerk. This book asnwers the question "why is Sam different?" This story talks about the challenges a student who lives with autism might face. Kindergarten-2nd grade.
* Ben's Adventures by Elizabeth Gerlach. highlights noticable differences when we look at others, while showing that all kids can play and learn. This book highlights inclusion, siblings, and empathy. Ages 2-8
* El Deafo by Cece Bell. "Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends." Graphic novel. Ages 8-12.
* Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. "Uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who’s ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn’t fit in." Ages 10-14.
*Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. "Eleven-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can’t walk. She can’t talk. She can’t write. All because she has cerebral palsy. But she also has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school, but NO ONE knows it. Melody refuses to be defined by her disability." Grades 5-6.
*Wonder by R. J. Palacio. Auggie Pullman is an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. He is now starting 5th grade at a new school. Will he make friends? Will people accept him? Also available as an early elementary grade book. 3rd-5th grades
Other Resources
This website offers many other picture book recommendations about children with ability differences. (picture books)
This website offers book recommendation for middle-grade readers.
Understood.com offers articles and tools for talking with your student about ability and thinking differences.
Talking About the U.S. Government
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* We The People: The Constitution of the United States by Peter Spier. "This book has something for everyone in the family. It begins with a richly illustrated Preamble, perfect for poring over together on laps. For the somewhat older child, a five-page history of the founding of the Constitution follows, and, finally, for middle schoolers and older, the book concludes with a complete copy of the text of the Constitution and its amendments." Suitable for all ages
* If I Were President by Catherine Stier. "Take your kids into the world of the President of the United States with this imaginative and educational book, which explores the highest office through the story of six children of varied racial backgrounds who take turns posing as the president and talking about the rewards and responsibilities of the position." Preschool- 3rd grades.
* America Votes by Linda Granfield. A colorful book about how our presidents are elected. Ages 6-9.
* You Matter by Christian Robinson. This book explores different perspectives around the world explored-from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding. It invites readers to "engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone matters." Ages 3-6.
* For Which We Stand by Jeff Foster. A book about how the government works and why it matters. 8-12 years.
* National Government (kids guide to government) by Ernestine Giesecke. What are the three branches of the government? What does the House sergeant-at-arms do? How does a bill become a law? You can find the answers to these questions and more in 'National Government.' As you go on this guided tour through national government, you'll learn about the powers of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the United States government. Grades 3-5.
* How Women Won The Vote by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. The basics of women's suffrage in the United States. Ages 9-12.
* A Small History of Disagreement by Claudio Fuentes. An introduction to voting, democracy and activism for kids. Ages 9-12.
* President of the Whole Fifth Grade (series) by Sherri Winston. Fictional chapter book about a girl who is determined to become president of her 5th grade class. Grades 3-6.
* We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices collection by Wade Hudson. "What do we tell our children when the world seems bleak, and prejudice and racism run rampant? This anthology empowers the nation's youth to listen, learn, and build a better tomorrow." Ages 8-12.
Other Resources
This website offers an extensive list of books about civics and our government suitable for all ages.